Driving in Austria vs. Lithuania: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Austria and Lithuania, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations and road etiquette is essential for a secure journey. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol consumption rules, this comparison highlights crucial variations that every traveler should be aware of to ensure their safety abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Separation of opposing traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, issued by police. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
lithuania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Indicates prepared to start |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
lithuania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Mandatory annual check |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
lithuania:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
austria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial; varies based on BAC level |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
lithuania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
lithuania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
austria:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes, by police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
lithuania:
Yes, by police
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
lithuania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay